Heber Brown, III

Reverend Dr. Heber Brown, III serves as the Senior Pastor of the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore and Founding Executive Director of the Black Church Food Security Network (BCFSN). Founded in 2015, BCFSN is a multi-state alliance of African American churches that grow food on their land and partner with Black farmers in the co-creation of grassroots, community-led food systems. Dr. Brown regular teaches on faith, food, and farming at institutions across the country and is a leading strategist on mobilizing Faith communities for social change. He is the recipient of numerous awards including, but not limited to, the Claneil Foundation's Emerging Leaders Award, Baltimore City Magazine's Visionary of the City Award, and in 2016, Grist.Org recognized him as one of 'The 50 People You'll Be Talking About This Year.'

He is the Founding Director of Orita’s Cross Freedom School. Based on the Freedom Schools of the 1960's, Dr. Brown works to reconnect Black youth to their African heritage while providing them hands-on learning opportunities to spark their creative genius and build vocational skills.

He earned his B.S. degree in Psychology from Morgan State University, a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary.